La Conner girls roll on with two more lopsided league hoop wins

 

December 22, 2021



The undefeated La Conner High School girls’ basketball team romped past NW2B rivals Friday Harbor and Darrington last week, posting lopsided wins.

But it was last night’s much anticipated meeting with 3A Stanwood that was being eyed as a true barometer of just good La Conner is as the team braces for the midway part of its season. They already owns triumphs over larger school programs Lynden, Nooksack Valley and Anacortes.

The clash with Stanwood, originally set for Monday, was another example of recent schedule changes necessitated by shortage of officials and as schools cope with COVID-19 protocols.

The one-day delay didn’t curb enthusiasm for the key non-league matchup.

“They’re very good,” La Conner head coach Scott Novak said prior to the Stanwood game, a tipoff that came after the Weekly News went to press.

“Stanwood has a 6’-4” girl and a lot of talent around her,” said Novak. “It’ll definitely be a big test for us.”

There were no such tests last week, or at the very least they were of the open-book variety.

La Conner buried Friday Harbor 81-6 at home Monday and routed Darrington 84-13 on the road Tuesday night.

“We came out focused and took care of business early,” Novak said of his club’s dominance of usually tough Friday Harbor. “Our defense was good and we shared the ball with 29 assists.”

Ellie Marble, Sarah Cook and Rachel Cram filled the stat sheet for the victors.

Marble, as has been her trademark this year, recorded another double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Cook, meanwhile, scored 21 points, dished off four assists and recorded four steals. Cram scored five points and led teammates in assists and steals with seven in each category.

Juna Swanson and Ellalee Wortham finished in double-figure scoring with 10 points apiece.

Reigning Skagit County scoring leader Josie Harper had six points and five assists in limited minutes as Novak was able to go early to a bench that is gradually becoming deeper.

Nine players saw court time against Friday Harbor, with seven landing in the scoring column.

It was much the same story the following night at Darrington.

Using its transition game, the team bolted to an early 27-5 lead that swelled to 53-7 at the break.

“We forced several turnovers with our defensive pressure and turned them into points,” said Novak. “The team did a nice job of sharing the ball and making the extra pass.”

Marble paced eight La Conner scorers on the point parade. She poured in 22 points, one of four Lady Braves to reach double digits.

Cook (18), Cram (13) and Harper (10) likewise benefitted from a balanced attack.

Swanson (8), Wortham (5), Maeve McCormick (5) and Aubrie Sloniker (3) rounded out the scoring.

Stanwood was not to be the last of key regular season non-conference trials. La Conner is set to resume action after Christmas with a Dec. 30 (6 p.m.) home clash opposite 4A Kamiak.

 

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